Yankees’ prospects are targets in trade talks, MLB insider says

If and when Yankees GM Brian Cashman identifies the team’s biggest needs, the team may have to part ways with one of its top prospects.

On Wednesday, SNY MLB insider Andy Martino reported that Roderick Arias, who is currently the Yankees’ 11th-ranked prospect, is being targeted by teams looking to trade with New York.

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Per Martino:

“As the Aug. 1 trade deadline draws closer, Yankees GM Brian Cashman is still working to identify his team’s biggest needs. Whatever those end up being, some rivals are targeting shortstop prospect Roderick Arias as a potential return, league sources say.”

Arias was MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 international prospect when he signed with the Yankees for $4 million in 2022. He underwhelmed in his pro-ball debut in the Dominican Summer League last season but still presents as one of the team’s best prospects.

A portion of MLB Pipeline’s scouting report on the Arias says:

[Arias] may have the best all-around collection of tools among the Yankees’ stockpile of shortstops, though he’ll need time to develop. He missed the first month of the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League with a wrist injury, then slashed .194/.379/.370 with a 33 percent strikeout rate in his pro debut.

In the Florida Complex League this season, the 18-year-old has shown vast improvements, hitting .277 with a .956 OPS. In 11 fewer games, he has already surpassed his hits, home runs and RBI totals from last season.

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With the addition of shortstop George Lombard Jr., who the Yankees selected No. 26 overall in the MLB draft, the organization can afford to lose one of their prospects at the same position.

At this time, Arias appears to be the most highly touted one.

Manuel Gomez may be reached at [email protected].